Veracruz Black Basalt Hacha - PF.0537,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Veracruz Black Basalt Hacha - PF.0537,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD,Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Mayan,Medium: Basalt. Forcefully carved, with a prominent crest on the forehead, deep wrinkles, and lips drawn back in a sneer, this hacha was used as a weight handicap in the ritual ballgame. The hacha, worn on a yoke around the waist, may have originated with human trophy heads--those of sacrificial victims or prisoners of war. We can believe, looking at this powerful emaciated visage, that it has been witness to ritual violence and that it is in some way associated with death.   « Less

Veracruz Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.0663,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Veracruz Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.0663,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Veracruz,Medium: Terracotta. This cross-legged woman has black bitumen highlights on her eyes, mouth, and earrings. There are traces of red pigment on her headdress, necklace and hands. These pigments may have religious associations, or they could simply be part of the makeup of a woman of fashion. It is easy to forget from this great distance what a colorful world these people lived in.   « Less

Veracruz Seated Man with an Elaborate Headdress - PF.0664,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Catalogue:  More »

Veracruz Seated Man with an Elaborate Headdress - PF.0664,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Veracruz,Medium: Terracotta. The splendid, complex headdress (perhaps feathered) and face decorated with black bitumen suggest that we are in the presence of religious ritual and mystery. The magnificent hat ensures our attention, and presumably that of the gods.   « Less

Veracruz Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.1075,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 11.375" (28.9cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection:  More »

Veracruz Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.1075,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 11.375" (28.9cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Veracruz,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Remojadas Vessel in the Form of a Head - PF.2797,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Remojadas Vessel in the Form of a Head - PF.2797,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Remojadas,Medium: Terracotta. This beautifully shaped portrait vessel, found the along the Coast of Mexico in Veracruz, is a stunning work of art. At one time the people of Veracruz as a ceremonial drinking cup probably used this vessel. The highly expressive facial features on this piece are just slightly exaggerated and stylized. We see the ears, flared and pointed, may have served as handles on the cup. Striking, are the elegant arched eyebrows, half-massed eyes, and archaic smile that draw us into its meditative spell. Was the artist depicting a human or a God? Or perhaps even a ceremonial ball player? We can tell that the piece was once adorned with nose and ear jewelry, which suggest a figure of great importance. This impressive figure, whether God, man, or woman, was clearly important enough to be portrayed on a vessel.   « Less

Remojadas Vessel in the Form of a Head - PF.2798,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Remojadas Vessel in the Form of a Head - PF.2798,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Remojadas,Medium: Terracotta. This striking portrait vessel, found along the coast of Mexico in Veracruz, makes a powerful impression. The highly expressive facial features are just slightly exaggerated and stylized. The ears, flared and pointed, are decorated with large ear plugs. His elegant arched eyebrows, half- massed eyes, and archaic smile draw us into his meditative spell. Was the artist depicting man or deity? Or perhaps even a ceremonial ballplayer? We can tell that he was once adorned with nose and ear jewelry, which indicates that he w as undoubtedly a figure of great importance. This portrait, whether a God, man, or a shaman, was important enough to be portrayed on a vessel that at one time was probably used as a ceremonial drinking cup. Our minds must travel back in time to imagine not only who drank from this, but what the consequences might have been.   « Less

Remojadas Sculptural Fragment of a Smiling Head - PF.3095,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 250 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Remojadas Sculptural Fragment of a Smiling Head - PF.3095,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 250 AD to 600 AD,Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Remojadas,Medium: Terracotta. This extraordinary sculpture of a young boy's smiling face captures viewers' eyes in an instant. The clay sculpture of a small head shows triangular flathead with two small holes on each side. The eyes appear to be almost closed and the mouth is open due to the big smile. Intricate detail is evident in the portrayal of teeth and tongue. Such smiling face sculptures date back to early classical period in Vera Cruz. They usually show children standing or sitting down, and their faces are triangular and flattened towards the top. In these sculptures, children smile or seem to want to hide their laughter with natural gesture. One hypothesis is that they represent sacrificial victims who were ritually intoxicated before putting to death. To our surprise, behind this seemingly innocent smiling face is a tale of human sacrifice. Ancient Meso- Americans usually chose perfect young men for their sacrificial rituals and such impeccable beauty is clearly portrayed in this delicate sculpture.   « Less

Veracruz Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.3452,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 4.5" (11.4cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Veracruz Sculpture of a Seated Woman - PF.3452,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 300 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 4.5" (11.4cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Veracruz,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Veracruz Terracotta Fragment of a Woman's Head - PF.0360,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection:  More »

Veracruz Terracotta Fragment of a Woman's Head - PF.0360,Origin: Veracruz, Mexico,Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 8.75" (22.2cm) high,Catalogue: V2,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Veracruz,Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

Remojadas Sculptural Fragment of a Smiling Head - PF.4703,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Remojadas Sculptural Fragment of a Smiling Head - PF.4703,Origin: Mexico,Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD,Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Remojadas,Medium: Terracotta. There is mystery surrounding the people who inhabited the Veracruz region during this period. Neither their ethnic identity nor their language is known. This lack of knowledge may frustrate the historian, but it is not an impediment to the art lover. Though the people and circumstances that inspired the art are an enigma, the 'laughing faces' of Veracruz are world famous. What pure joy it is to see this smiling face. He simply radiates enjoyment, pleasure and well-being. From an aesthetic point of view, the head is beautifully symmetrical. It is essentially a triangle that includes the distinctive headdress. This is ornamented with two designs on both sides in a criss-cross pattern, separated by a thick line forming a sort of 'doorway' in the center and filled with broad vertical bands. The face itself is masterfully modeled; the narrow almond eyes and gorgeous smile exposing two prominent teeth create the focal point of laughter. Two large earspools are signs of wealth and indicate this figure is someone of importance. It is possible he is a priest or initiate involved in a ritual ceremony, enjoying a moment of religious ecstasy; perhaps aided by a hallucinogenic drug! Whatever his source of delight, the joy he gives us is beyond description.   « Less